impact of genetic variation and gene expression level of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor on ovarian reserve

Objective: ovarian reserve is defined as the capacity of the ovary to provide fertile oocytes. Diminished ovarian reserve [DOR] is a disorder in which ovaries are prone to go through early menopause. Where this loss of function occurs before the age of 40, it results in the premature ovarian failure [POF] disease. Throughout folliculogenesis, the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor [FSHR] starts a signaling cascade in the granulosa cells where its inactivation leads to the arrest of follicle maturation and therefore adversely affects ovarian reserve. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of genetic variation [polymorphisms and inactivating mutations] of FSHR with POF and DOR

Materials and Methods: this case-control study comprised 84 POF, 52 DOR and 80 fertile Iranian women. To determine the presence of the 566C>T mutation and the -29G>A polymorphism in FSHR, PCR-RFLP method was used. SSCP-sequencing was used to identify any allelic variants in exon 10. The expression of human FSHR at the transcript level was also compared between DOR and fertile controls by real time-polymerase chain reaction [PCR]

Results: the 566C>T polymorphism was normal in all the cases. All genotypes of -29G>A and 919G>A [exon 10] polymorphisms were observed. Statistically significant differences were seen in the genotypic distribution of both polymorphisms when comparing the control group with the DOR patient group. A decrease was observed in FSHR expression of DOR patients compared with the control group but was not significant

Conclusion: we conclude that the -29G>A and 919G>A polymorphisms in FSHR may be associated with DOR. Although these polymorphisms had significant differences at the genic level, no significant variation was found at the transcript level

Compare CPM-RMI trial: intramyocardial transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived cd133+ cells and mononuclear cells during coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with recent myocardial infarction: a phase II/III, multicenter, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

Objective: The regenerative potential of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells [MNCs] and CD133+ stem cells in the heart varies in terms of their pro-angiogenic effects. This phase II/III, multicenter and double-blind trial is designed to compare the functional effects of intramyocardial autologous transplantation of both cell types and placebo in patients with recent myocardial infarction [RMI] post-coronary artery bypass graft

Materials and Methods: This was a phase II/III, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial COMPARE CPM-RMI [CD133, Placebo, MNCs - recent myocardial infarction] conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki that assessed the safety and efficacy of CD133 and MNCs compared to placebo in patients with RMI. We randomly assigned 77 eligible RMI patients selected from 5 hospitals to receive CD133+ cells, MNC, or a placebo. Patients underwent gated single photon emission computed tomography assessments at 6 and 18 months post-intramyocardial transplantation. We tested the normally distributed efficacy outcomes with a mixed analysis of variance model that used the entire data set of baseline and between-group comparisons as well as within subject [time] and group×time interaction terms

Results: There were no related serious adverse events reported. The intramyocardial transplantation of both cell types increased left ventricular ejection fraction by 9% [95% confidence intervals [CI]: 2.14% to 15.78%, P=0.01] and improved decreased systolic wall thickening by -3.7 [95% CI: -7.07 to -0.42, P=0.03]. The CD133 group showed significantly decreased non-viable segments by 75% [P=0.001] compared to the placebo and 60% [P=0.01] compared to the MNC group. We observed this improvement at both the 6- and 18-month time points

Conclusion: Intramyocardial injections of CD133+ cells or MNCs appeared to be safe and efficient with superiority of CD133+ cells for patients with RMI. Although the sample size precluded a definitive statement about clinical outcomes, these results have provided the basis for larger studies to confirm definitive evidence about the efficacy of these cell types

Chances to have a boy after gender selection by pre-implantation genetic screening are reduced in couples with only girls and without a boy sired by the male partner

Background: Gender selection and family planning have their roots in human history. Despite great interest in these fields, very few scientific propositions exist which could explain why some family do not attain the desired sex. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether sex of previous child or children could affect the outcomes of pre-implantation genetic screening [PGS]

Materials and Methods: This historical cohort study including 218 PGS cases referring to Isfahan Fertility and Infertility Center [IFIC]. Couples were grouped as those who their male child passed away or her husbands' has a son[s] from their previous marriage [n=70] and couples who just have daughter [n=148]. Male normal blastocysts were transferred for both groups. The outcomes of PGS including pregnancy, implantation and abortion rates, along with possible confounding factors were compared between the two groups

Results: Significant differences in pregnancy, implantation and abortion rates were observed between couples whose their male partner had/has one boy [n=70] compared to those who have just girl[s] [n=148] despite similar number and quality of male normal blastocyst transferred in the two groups. Confounding factors were also considered

Conclusion: The Y- bearing spermatozoa in male partners with no history of previous boy have lower ability to support a normal development to term, compared to male partners with previous history of boy requesting family balancing

Effect of prolonged culture of chromosomally abnormal human embryos on the rate of diploid cells

Background: A decrease in aneuploidy rate following a prolonged co-culture of human blastocysts has been reported. As co-culture is not routinely used in assisted reproductive technology, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of the prolonged single culture on the rate of diploid cells in human embryos with aneuploidies

Materials and Methods: In this cohort study, we used fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] to reanalyze surplus blastocysts undergoing preimplantation genetic diagnosis [PGD] on day 3 postfertilization. They were randomly studied on days 6 or 7 following fertilization

Results: Of the 30 analyzed blastocysts, mosaicism was observed in 26[86.6%], while 2[6.7%] were diploid, and 2[6.7%] were triploid. Of those with mosaicism, 23[88.5%] were determined to be diploid-aneuploid and 3[11.5%] were aneuploid mosaic. The total frequency of embryos with more than 50% diploid cells was 33.3% that was lower on day 7 in comparison with the related value on day 6 [P<0.05]; however, there were no differences when the embryos were classified according to maternal age, blastocyst developmental stage, total cell number on day 3, and embryo quality

Conclusion: Although mosaicism is frequently observed in blastocysts, the prolonged single culture of blastocysts does not seem to increase the rate of normal cells

Zeta sperm selection improves pregnancy rate and alters sex ratio in male factor infertility patients: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial

Background: Selection of sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI] is usually considered as the ultimate technique to alleviate male-factor infertility. In routine ICSI, selection is based on morphology and viability which does not necessarily preclude the chance injection of DNA-damaged or apoptotic sperm into the oocyte. Sperm with high negative surface electrical charge, named [Zeta potential], are mature and more likely to have intact chromatin. In addition, X-bearing spermatozoa carry more negative charge. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of Zeta procedure with routine sperm selection in infertile men candidate for ICSI

Materials and Methods: From a total of 203 ICSI cycles studied, 101 cycles were allocated to density gradient centrifugation [DGC]/Zeta group and the remaining 102 were included in the DGC group in this prospective study. Clinical outcomes were com- pared between the two groups. The ratios of Xand Y bearing sperm were assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] and quantitative polymerase chain reaction [qPCR] methods in 17 independent semen samples

Results: In the present double-blind randomized clinical trial, a significant increase in top quality embryos and pregnancy rate were observed in DGC/Zeta group compared to DGC group. Moreover, sex ratio [XY/XX] at birth significantly was lower in the DGC/Zeta group compared to DGC group despite similar ratio of X/Y bearings sper- matozoa following Zeta selection

Conclusion: Zeta method not only improves the percentage of top embryo quality and pregnancy outcome but also alters the sex ratio compared to the conventional DGC method, despite no significant change in the ratio of Xand Ybearing sperm population

Cord blood karyotyping: a safe and non-invasive method for postnatal testing of assisted reproductive technology children

Background: To verify the hypothesis that the incidence of chromosomal abnormalities increases in babies conceived by different assisted reproduction procedures. The availability of the umbilical cord blood encouraged us to study this hypothesis via this method

Materials and Methods: This is a descriptive study, umbilical cord blood samples of assisted reproductive technology [ART] children were analyzed with standard cytogenetic techniques [G banding]. Karyotyping was possible in 109 cases

Results: The number of abnormal cases was four [3.7%], among which, three cases [2.8%] were inherited and only 1 case [0.9%] was a de novo translocation. In total, the incidence of de novo chromosomal abnormalities was in the range observed in all live births in the general population [0.7-1%]

Conclusion: No significant difference in the incidence of chromosomal abnormality was found between ART and naturally conceived babies. To date, several studies have examined the medical and developmental outcome of ART children and still have not reached a definite conclusion. Genetic counseling is recommended as an integral part of planning of treatment strategies for couples wishing to undergo ART

New single nucleotide polymorphism G5508A in the SEPT12 gene may be associated with idiopathic male infertility in Iranian men

Male infertility is a multifactorial disorder, which affects approximately 10% of couples at childbearing age with substantial clinical and social impact. Genetic factors are associated with the susceptibility to spermatogenic impairment in humans. Recently, SEPT12 is reported as a critical gene for spermatogenesis. This gene encodes a testis specific member of Septin proteins, a family of polymerizing GTP-binding proteins. SEPT12 in association with other Septins is an essential annulus component in mature sperm. So, it is hypothesized that genetic alterations of SEPT12 may be concerned in male infertility. The objective of this research is exploration of new single nucleotide polymorphism G5508A in the SEPT12 gene association with idiopathic male infertility in Iranian men. In this case control study, 67 infertile men and 100 normal controls were analyzed for genetic alterations in the active site coding region of SEPT12, using polymerase chain reaction sequencing technique. Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis and p<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Genotype analysis indicated that G5508A polymorphic SEPT12 alleles were distributed in three peaks of frequency in both control and diseases groups. Categorization of the alleles into [GG], [GA], [AA] types revealed a significant difference between infertile patients [azoospermic and asthenospermic] and normal controls [p=0.005]. According to our finding we suggest that G5508A polymorphism in SEPT12 gene can affect spermatogenesis in men, the opinion needs more investigation in different populations

Cloning and expression of Iranian Turkmen thoroughbred horse follicle stimulating hormone in pichia pastoris

Background: follicle stimulating hormone [FSH] plays an essential role in reproductive physiology and follicular development

Objective: a new variant of the equine fsh [efsh] gene was cloned, sequenced, and expressed in Pichia pastoris [P. pastoris] GS115 yeast expression system

Materials and Methods: the full-length cDNAs of the efsh[alpha] and efsh[beta] chains were amplified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] using the total RNA isolated from an Iranian Turkmen-thoroughbred horse's anterior pituitary gland. The amplified efsh chains were cloned into the pPIC9 vector and transferred into P. pastoris. The secretion of recombined eFSH using P. pastoris expression system was confirmed by Western blotting and immunoprecipitation [IP] methods

Results: the DNA sequence of the efsh[beta] chain accession number JX861871, predicted two putative differential nucleotide arrays, both of which are located in the 3?UTR. Western blotting showed a molecular mass of 13 and 18 kDa for eFSH[alpha] and eFSH[beta] subunits, respectively. The expression of desired protein was confirmed by protein G immunoprecipitation kit

Conclusions: eFSH successfully expressed in P. pastoris. These findings lay a foundation to improve ovulation and embryo recovery rates as well as the efficiency of total embryo-transfer process in mares

rare de novo complex chromosomal rearrangement [CCR] involving four chromosomes in an oligo-asthenosperm infertile man

Complex chromosomal rearrangements [CCRs] are rare events involving more than two chromosomes and over two breakpoints. They are usually associated with infertility or sub fertility in male carriers. Here we report a novel case of a CCR in a 30-year-old oligoasthenosperm man with a history of varicocelectomy, normal testes size and normal endocrinology profile referred for chromosome analysis to the Genetics unit of Royan Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center. Chromosomal analysis was performed using peripheral blood lymphocyte cultures and analyzed by GTG banding. Additional tests such as C-banding and multicolor fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] procedure for each of the involved chromosomes were performed to determine the patterns of the segregations. Y chromosome microdeletions in the azoospermia factor [AZF] region were analyzed with multiplex polymerase chain reaction. To identify the history and origin of this CCR, all the family members were analyzed. No micro deletion in Y chromosome was detected. The same de novo reciprocal exchange was also found in his monozygous twin brother. The other siblings and parents were normal. CCRs are associated with male infertility as a result of spermatogenic disruption due to complex meiotic configurations and the production of chromosomally abnormal sperms. These chromosomal rearrangements might have an influence on decreasing the number of sperms

In vitro maturation, fertilization and embryo culture of oocytes obtained from vitrified auto-transplanted mouse ovary

The purpose of this study was to investigate the in vitro survival and developmental potential of oocytes obtained from vitrified mouse ovaries transplanted to a heterotopic site. In this experimental study, two-week-old mice were unilaterally ovariectomized after anesthesia. The ovaries were vitrified by cryotop. After two weeks, the ovaries were thawed and autotransplanted to the gluteus muscle tissue. Three weeks later the mice were killed, after which we removed and dissected the transplanted and opposite right ovaries. Cumulus oocyte complexes [COCs] and denuded oocytes were evaluated for in vitro maturation [IVM], in vitro fertilization [IVF] and in vitro development [IVD]. The control group consisted of sevenweek- old age-matched mice ovaries. All vitrified-transplanted [Vit-trans] ovaries contained some oocytes that survived. Following IVM, IVF and IVD, there were 41.7% out of 12 cultured zygotes that reached the 8-cell stage. Our experiment supports the progressive role of long-term graft survival after wholeovarian cryopreservation by vitrification and subsequent heterotopic transplantation. It is possible to recover viable follicles and oocytes that have the ability to develop in vitro

Chromosome abnormalities and viability of vitrified eight-cell mouse embryos at presence of two different cryoprotectants at different storage durations

Experiments were conducted to find the differences between post-thaw viability and chromosome aberrations in eight-cell mouse embryos at presence of dimethyl sulfoxide [DMSO] and 1, 2-propanediol [PROH] as croprotectants in different storage durations. In this case-control study, a total number of 720 mouse embryos from about 250 NMRI mice were vitrified with 30% PROH or DMSO; each diluted with a solution containing 30% ficol plus 0.5 M sucrose. Embryos were exposed to the solutions for 0.5 minute at 25[degree sign] followed by cooling in liquid nitrogen, then after appropriate storage duration, they were rapidly warmed. Besides, there were 100 mouse embryos for each cryoprotectant group [totally 200 embryos] as control. Embryo survival was assessed by in vitro development, and chromosome abnormalities were analyzed by Giemsa staining. The proportion of mitotic abnormalities in PROH/DMSO vitrified embryos was significantly higher than unfrozen control group. This was confirmed also by a reduced viability of the embryos as judged by a culture at the blastocyst stage [p<0.05 in all test groups]. It can be deduced that long term cryopreservation may result in chromosomal abnormalities and/or low viability

Optimization of the electroporation conditions for transfection of human factor IX into the goat fetal fibroblasts

Electroporation is the most common method used for the transfection of DNA. Although this method has been attributed for various cell using different buffer compositions, the effects of DNA concentration on the transfection efficiency has not yet been studied. Here the correlation between the efficiency of electroporation reaction and increments of DNA concentration has been investigated. Following this investigation, a study was set out to produce a transgenic goat which is capable of secreting recombinant human coagulation factor IX in its milk. In this experimental study, a linearized recombinant vector [pBC1] entailing human coagulation factor IX [5.7 kb] cDNA was introduced into goat fetal fibroblast cells [three sub passages] via electroporation in four separate experiments [while other variables were kept constant], beginning with 10 micro g DNA per pulse in the first experiment and increments of 10 micro g/pulse for the next three reactions. Thereafter, polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-positive cell culture plates were diluted by several factors for further analysis of the transfected wells. Subsequently, positive cells were isolated for fluorescence in situ hybridization. Logistic regression model was used for data analyzing. Significance was defined as p< 0.05. The results showed no significant difference among three first concentrations except for group 1 [10 micro g/pulse] and group 3 [30 micro g/pulse], but there was a significant difference between these groups and the fourth group [p<0.05], as this group [40 micro g/pulse] statistically showed the highest rate of transfection. As the fluorescence in situ hybridization [FISH] results indicated the transgene was integrated in a single position in PCR positive cells. Increasing amount of using the vector 40micro g/pulse efficiently increased the number of transfected cells. Besides of voltage and buffer strength which had been previously shown to play a critical role in electroporation efficiency, our results showed an increase in DNA concentration could affect an exponential surge in the electroporation efficiency

Cloning, expression, and functional characterization of in-house prepared human leukemia inhibitory factor

Leukemia inhibitory factor [LIF] plays important roles in cellular proliferation, growth promotion and differentiation of various types of target cells. In addition, LIF influences bone metabolism, cachexia, neural development, embryogenesis and inflammation. Human LIF [hLIF] is an essential growth factor for the maintenance of mouse embryonic stem cells [ESCs] and induced pluripotent stem cells [iPSCs] in a pluripotent, undifferentiated state. In this experimental study, we cloned hLIF into the pENTR-D/TOPO entry vector by a TOPO reaction. Next, hLIF was subcloned into the pDEST17 destination vector by the LR reaction, which resulted in the production of a construct that was transferred into E. coli strain Rosetta-gami[TM] 2[DE3] pLacI competent cells to produce the His6-hLIF fusion protein. This straightforward method produced a biologically active recombinant hLIF protein in E. coli that has long-term storage ability. This procedure has provided rapid, cost effective purification of a soluble hLIF protein that is biologically active and functional as measured in mouse ESCs and iPSCs in vitro. Our results showed no significant differences in function between laboratory produced and commercialized hLIF

Autologous transplantation of adult mice spermatogonial stem cells into gamma irradiated testes

We evaluated structural and functional changes of fresh and frozen-thawed adult mouse spermatogonial stem cells following auto-transplantation into gamma-irra-diated testes. In this experimental research, the right testes from adult mice [n=25] were collected, then Sertoli and spermatogonial cells were isolated using two-step enzymatic digestion, lectin immobilization and differential plating. Three weeks after cultivation, the Bromodeoxyuridine [BrdU]-labeled spermatogonial cells were transplanted, via rete testis, into the other testis of the same mouse, which had been irradiated with 14Gy. The mice were transplanted with: fresh cells [control 1], fresh cells co-cultured with Sertoli cells [control 2], the frozen-thawed cells [experimental 1] and frozen-thawed cells co-cultured with Sertoli cells [experimental 2]. The morphological changes between different transplanted testes groups were compared in 8 weeks after transplantation. The statistical significance between mean values was determined by Kruskal Wallis and one-way analysis of variance in efficiency of transplantation. The statistical analysis revealed significant increases in the mean percentage of testis weight and normal seminiferous tubules following spermatogonial stem cells transplantation in the recipient's testes. The normal seminiferous tubules percentage in the co-culture system with fresh cells and frozen-thawed groups were more than those in non-transplanted and fresh cell transplanted groups [p

Effect of ovarian cyclic status on in vitro embryo production in cattle

The relationship between cyclic status of cattle ovaries on in vitro embryo development up to the blastocyst stage was investigated. Cattle ovaries were collected immediately after slaughter and divided into three categories based on their cyclic status, which included: 1. the presence of a large follicle [LF], 2. the presence of a corpus luteum [CL] and 3. ovaries without LF or CL [WLCF]. Oocytes of these ovaries were obtained and used for in vitro maturation and fertilization. Presumptive zygotes were then cultured up to the blastocyst stage in synthetic oviductal fluid culture medium. There were no significant differences between cleavage rates of the three groups. The rate of embryos in the compact morula stage for the CL group was 48.2% which was significantly higher than the related rate of the LF group [36.6%], but non-significantly higher than that of the ST group [45.7%]. The highest blastocyst rate belonged to the CL group [54.6%] which was significantly greater than the WLCF group [32.9%] and non-significantly higher than the LF group [52.4%]. There was no significant difference in blastocyst rates in the CL and LF groups. Preselection of oocyte donor ovaries containing a CL or LF can be used as a feasible and noninvasive criterion to obtain the most competent oocytes capable of development to the blastocyst stage

Is karyotyping and Y chromosome microdeletion study necessary in men candidate for ICSI?

The sperm count and function may be affected by karyotype abnormalities or microdeletion in Y chromosome. These genetic abnormalities can probably transmit to the children. In this study, we tried to determine the frequency of karyotype abnormalities and Y chromosome microdeletions in severe oligospermic or azoospermic men who fathered sons by ICSI. This study comprised of fathers who had at least a son with ICSI due to severe oligospermia or azoospermia. General examinations were done and blood sample were obtained for karyotype and Y chromosome studies. The total of 60 fathers was evaluated along with their 70 sons. The mean duration of infertility was 8.7 years and the sons were 2.4 years in average at the time of examination. The mean age of neonates at the time of delivery was 33 weeks; 42.9% were delivered prematurely; and 40.5% of them were twins. 8.6% of the sons had hypspadiasis and 7.1% had UDT. Most of the side effects were due to prematurity. In total 6 of fathers had karyotype anomaly without affected father. No case of Y chromosome microdeltion was found in the fathers. Y chromosome microdeletion is not prevalent in fathers with successful ICSI and it is not necessary to be analyzed before ICSI performance. Karyotype anomaly may transmit to the sons. All together ICSI is reliable and safe. Most of the complications are the result of premature delivery

[Quantitative expression of BAG1, BAX and BCL-2 genes in human embryos with different fragmentation grades derived from ART]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quantitative expressions of BAG1, BAX and BCL-2 in human embryos with different fragmentation grades as derived from assisted reproduction technology [ART]. Fragmented and normal human 8-cell embryos were scored according to the degree of fragmentation with an inverted microscope and divided into four grades [grade I: no or minimal fragmentation [<5%], grade II: embryos with <25% fragmentation, grade III: embryos with >25% fragmentation and grade IV: apoptotic induced embryos with actinomycin D]. In this study, TUNEL labeling was initially used to detect apoptosis, and then revers transcription polymerase chain reaction [RT-PCR] and quantitative PCR were used to define the quantitative expressions of experimental genes in human embryos with different fragmentation grades. The results of TUNEL labeling showed that embryos with higher fragmentation had a high number of apoptotic bodies. The results of RT-PCR and q-PCR analyses showed a significantly decreased amount of BAGI transcript expression from group I to group IV. The highest expression of BAX gene was observed in group II, however, the transcript of BCL-2 gene was not observed in any of the experimental groups. The effect of actinomycin D on transcript expression amounts of experimental genes in apoptotic induced embryos [group IV] compared to control embryos [group I] showed a significant decrease. mRNA expression of BAG1 gene can be used as a good marker to detect apoptosis in human embryos. However, the transcript of BCL-2 gene does not play a role in the detection of apoptosis in human embryos at the 8-cell stage

Single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of protamine genes in infertile men

Single nucleotide polymorphism [SNPs] are considered as one of the underlying causes of male infertility. Proper sperm chromatin packaging which involves replacement of histones with protamines has profound effect on male fertility. Over 20 SNPs have been reported for the protamine 1 and 2. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of two previously reported SNPs using polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] approach in 35, 96 and 177 normal, oligozoospermic and azoospermic individuals. These SNPs are: 1. A base pair substitution [G] at position 197 instead of T in protamine type 1 Open reading frame [ORF] including untranslated region, which causes an Arg residue change to Ser residue in a highly conserved region. 2. cytidine nucleotide change to thymidine in position of 248 of protamine type 2 ORF which caused a nonsense point mutation. The two mentioned SNPs were not present in the studied population, thus concluding that these SNPs can not serves as molecular markers for male infertility diagnosis. The results of our study reveal that in a selected Iranian population, the SNP G197T and C248T are completely absent and are not associated with male infertility and therefore these SNPs may not represent a molecular marker for genetic diagnosis of male infertility

Accuracy assessment of interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization on uncultured amniotic fluid cells

Parental anxiety while waiting for the results of amniocentesis has been investigated by many authors. It seems that the implementation of faster techniques such as fluorescence in-situ hybridization [FISH] will have some benefits in reducing this anxiety. Besides the patients' attitudes to choosing this method, gynecologists who are the persons responsible for treatment, must feel comfortable about prescribing FISH techniques. This study, using a simple methodology, was undertaken to evaluate the results of FISH tests on the amniotic fluid from 40 pregnant women undergoing cesarean surgery. Two sets of probes including X/Y cocktail and 13, 21 and 18 were applied on different slides. The results of FISH tests were compared with the reports of the pediatrician about the health condition of the newborn. Complete conformity between the two sets of findings, have convinced our gynecologists of the benefit of prescribing this method to reduce the anxiety of patients at risk of having abnormal offspring due to chromosomal anuploidies. As has been documented by many authors, conventional chromosome analysis has great advantages over fluorescence in situ hybridization of interphase amniocytes, but reducing the anxiety of parents is a good reason for employing the FISH technique

Chromosomal abnormalities in Iranian infertile males who are candidates for assisted reproductive techniques

The present study offers our contribution on the topic by a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in a population of Iranian infertile men attending assisted reproduction programs. Cytogenetic analysis was performed according to standard methods on cultured cells obtained from the patient peripheral blood. In all, 874 files belonging to male partner of each couple were classified as follows: azoospermic, oligozoospermic and patients with low sperm quality in respect of morphology and motility. Chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 136[15.5%] individuals of the whole population studied including 12.0%, 1.2% and 2.0% of azoospermic, oligozoospermic and patients with low sperm quality, respectively. Of those, 116 [13.2%] had sex chromosome abnormalities and 20[2.3%] had autosomal chromosome abnormalities. We observed high frequency of aneuploidy and sex chromosomal mosaicism in azoospermic men and high structural aberrations in males with low sperm quality. We suggested that type of chromosomal abnormalities had an inverse relation to sperm count. So that, high chromosomal aneuploidy was detected in males with lower sperm count and high structural aberration was detected in males with low sperm quality. Chromosomal abnormalities are a major cause of male infertility. Consequently, Genetic testing and counselling is indicated for infertile men with abnormal semen parameters with either abnormal karyotype or normal karyotype before applying assisted reproductive techniques